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Die Afhaal is a deeply emotional Cape Muslim wedding practice in which a bride is respectfully fetched from her family home, centring dignity, consent and communal care. By PROFESSOR ASLAM FATAAR Afhaal is a Cape Muslim word. It comes from Afrikaans and simply denotes ‘to fetch’. In...

As masaajid mark Khateeb-e-A’zam Day, this article explores how Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Shafee Okarvi’s maqasid-based leadership shaped Muslim identity, unity and institutional strength in South Africa and beyond. By SAYED RIDHWAAN MOHAMED On Friday, January 9, 2026, a remarkable phenomenon will unfold across the global Muslim landscape....

The taxation of awqaf is not just a legal question but a moral and philosophical one. This analysis explores how faith-based endowments intersect with modern tax systems, public finance and social justice. By DR HISHAM DAFTERDAR The taxation of awqaf remains a contentious issue among policymakers, legal...

The life of Mogamat Cassiem Ras offers a powerful lens on Die Vlakte, forced removals, and the enduring ethics of dignity, faith, and community in Cape Muslim history. By PROFESSOR ASLAM FATAAR The passing of Mogamat Cassiem Ras, a long-time resident of Stellenbosch, invites reflection beyond the...

This reflection examines how heritage and human rights intersect in the Cape Floral Region, revealing indigenous erasure, contested histories and the urgent need for decolonial justice. By ANWAR OMAR International Human Rights Day, commemorated annually on December 10, offers a moment for reflection on the universal rights,...

The 1500 Legacy Essay Challenge showcased young South Africans engaging deeply with the Prophetic legacy, combining ethical reflection, intellectual rigour and a call for inclusive leadership. By ADNAAN ADAMS A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of serving as MC for one of the flagship initiatives...

By ANWAR OMAR South Africa’s history and heritage are often conflated, yet each serves a different purpose. In this reflective essay, Anwar Omar explores how reclaiming contested memories — from Robben Island to Rhodes Must Fall to the Trojan Horse Massacre — can support justice, inclusion and...

Locating heritage within an Islamic framework ‘Knowing where we come from is not an act of pride or nostalgia but one of accountability. It calls us to remember not only the names of our ancestors but the values they carried.’ By MOEGAMMAD TAHIER KARA The journey of...

‘The sea carries everything — our fear, our prayer, and our faith in the mercy of Allah. We were never alone.’— Dr Fatima Hendricks at Masjid al-Quds, Cape Town By ADLI YACUBI When the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail for Gaza in September 2024, few imagined that...

Today, seventy years since his appointment as Imam of al-Jaamia Masjid, Stegman Road, Claremont, in 1955, we reflect not only on the tragedy of his martyrdom but on his enduring legacy of justice and compassion, a legacy that continues to speak with power and urgency. By IMAM...